Factors influencing the use of electronic information resources by postgraduate students: a case of Egerton University

Abstract

This sought to establish the factors that influence the use of electronic information resources by graduate students of Egerton University. Its purpose was to specifically present and discuss the problems the postgraduate students face in accessing electronic information resources. Descriptive research methodology was used and the data collected using questionnaires and interviews will be carefully handled and analysed. Since the research had both qualitative and quantitative data, document analysis, content analysis and descriptive statistics was used accordingly to analyse data.

The study found out that age, level of Information Technology literacy and attitude of postgraduate students had an influence on use of e- resources. The study therefore recommended that ICT use in the library should be reshaped to fit better with the lives of postgraduate students and that training on ICT use by postgraduate students is vital. Further the study recommended that a collection development policy should be developed by the university and that efforts such as marketing of e-resources to postgraduate students should be emphasized. This study is intended to help the university administration and library planners to rethink on how to improve on provision of information services through electronic resources, for better access and utilization by post graduate students. The researcher hopes that new thinking will be provoked to revamp the situation in the university library.